Boys' Basketball: Ames outlasts Mason City

For the Ames boys’ basketball team, it’s all about playing through the pain, according to coach Vance Downs.

For the Ames boys’ basketball team, it’s all about playing through the pain, according to coach Vance Downs.

That’s what the Little Cyclones had to do to pull out a 74-59 victory at home over Mason City on Friday night.

"We certainly didn’t play our best basketball tonight," Downs said. "Which speaks to the kids and the fact we were able to pull out a win."

The game started on an Ames 7-0 run, quickly countered by Mason City when Austin Hemmen hit back-to-back threes to pull the game to 7-6. Hemmen made four 3-pointers in the first half for the Mohawks and then didn’t score the rest of the game. The Mohawks were led in scoring by Matt Meyer with 13.

"We try to contest shots early, but still help out on our base defense," Downs said. "After (Hemmen) hit a few shots, then we didn’t provide any help with that defender. We just tried to stay with him all night."

The Little Cyclones made four 3-pointers in the first quarter, helping them gain a 24-14 after one frame.

"When we shoot the ball well, obviously we’re more efficient on offense, we play with a little more energy," Downs said.

Ames made just three 3-pointers the rest of the game. That’s where the Little Cyclones need to grind through.

"Unfortunately, after the first quarter, we didn’t hit many," Downs said. "We have to learn when we’re not shooting it well, to play through the pain and take advantage of the matchups we do have."

One aspect of the game that favored the Little Cyclones was free throws. Mason City attempted 13 free throws, making six. Ames made 13 free throws, matching Mason City’s free throw attempt total, on 19 shots.

"It’s a huge advantage," Downs said. "It speaks to the kids in the second half, playing through the pain and getting touches where we wanted to get it, and we certainly took advantage of those situations and fortunately got some fouls and got to the line."

Sam Straub led the Little Cyclones with 21 points, scoring 12 in the first half and nine in the second. Straub cited a team effort as the reason he led the team in scoring.

"It was all my teammates getting me the looks," Straub said. "I wouldn’t have done it without them getting me the inside touches."

Ames went into halftime with a 42-34 lead, and Kual Chol helped extend it, going on a 6-0 run on his own at the start of the second half. Chol finished with 17 points.

"Kual plays with a tremendous amount of energy," Downs said. "He has a high ceiling, and I think he’s going to be a fine player."